§ Mr. Don FosterTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what the average fine imposed on businesses prosecuted by the Environment Agency was in each of the last three years; [121843]
(2) how many businesses were successfully prosecuted by the Environment Agency in each of the last three years. [121842]
§ Mr. MullinThe Environment Agency publishes prosecution statistics in its annual reports. Although these figures do not distinguish between companies and individuals, and it would cause disproportionate cost to do so here, most prosecutions are against businesses. The 1999–2000 annual report will be laid before Parliament in July. Figures for the previous two years are as follows.
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Function/year Number of prosecutions Average fine (£) Water Quality 1997–98 222 4,258 1998–99 258 16,157 Waste 1997–98 313 1,999 1998–99 301 1,060
Function/year Number of prosecutions Average fine (£) Integrated Pollution Control 1997–98 12 18,375 1998–99 16 11,000 Radioactive Substances 1997–98 3 11,000 1998–99 3 37,666 Water Resources 1997–98 17 4,576 1998–99 21 2,159 Flood Defence 1997–98 1 2,850 1998–99 4 1,387 Navigation 1997–98 31 118 1998–99 43 162 1 The average fines for Water Quality offences in 1998–99 has been adjusted to reflect the reduction in the amount the Milford Haven Harbour Authority was fined for its part in the Sea Empress disaster. On appeal the fine was reduced from £4 million to £750,000.